In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God. We begin with the help of God and His good guidance, and we write the story of Haiqar, the wise Persian philosopher. O Lord, forgive its writer, its reader, and its listener.

It also said, ‘In the days of Sennacherib, the son of Sarhadum, the king of Assyria and Nineveh, I, Haiqar, was his minister and scribe. When I was still young, the sorcerers, astrologers, and diviners told me that I would not be blessed with a child. Despite my great wealth and abundant provisions, having married sixty women, I built for them sixty splendid and beautiful palaces, grand and luxurious homes. Yet, for sixty years, I remained childless.’ Then I, Haiqar, offered sacrifices and offerings to the gods. I burned incense of frankincense, cinnamon, and camphor before them, saying, ‘O gods, bless me with a child so that I may rejoice in him. When I die, he shall inherit from me, closing my eyes in death and burying me. And from the day of my death until the day of his death, every day let a qintar of gold be spent and dissipated from my wealth, which will not be depleted, nor will my provision be diminished.’

The idols did not respond to him with anything. So he left them and was saddened, suffering greatly. He returned in his speech and supplication to God, believing and calling upon Him with the burning of his heart. He said, ‘O God of the heavens and the earth, O Creator of all beings, I seek from You to grant me a son, so that I may find comfort in him, and he may inherit from me. Let him be present at my death, closing my eyes and burying me.’ Then a voice came to him, saying, ‘Since you relied upon idols, and placed your hope in them, and not in Me, and offered sacrifices to them - for that reason, behold, you are without sons or daughters. But I say to you, behold, send for your nephew Nadan, take him and teach him all your wisdom so that he may inherit from you.’

So I took Nadan, my nephew, nurtured and cared for him, and entrusted him to eight wet nurses to breastfeed him. I fattened him with rich foods, honey, adorned him with silk and purple, laid him to rest on soft cushions and pillows. Nadan, the son of my sister, grew and flourished like majestic cedar. I taught him writing, wisdom, and philosophy. When Sennacherib the king returned from his campaigns and journeys, on some days, he summoned me, Haiqar, his scribe and minister. He said to me, ‘O distinguished companion, beloved and revered friend, skilled and wise one, keeper of my secrets, knower of my confidences, behold, you have reached old age, and death is approaching. Tell me, who would you recommend to serve me after your death and departure?’ I said to him, ‘O my lord, may you live forever and endure through the ages. Behold, I have a nephew, the son of my sister, who is like my own son. I have imparted all my knowledge to him, and he is a wise and knowledgeable individual.’

So my lord said to me, ‘Go and bring him to me so that I may see him. And if I find him suitable, he shall serve me and stand before me, and as for you, you are free to go your way, and I shall relieve you of your fatigue, and you may care for your old age with good dignity.’ At that moment, I, Haiqar, took Nadan, the son of my sister, and presented him before King Sennacherib, placing him in front of the king. When the king saw him, he was delighted and said, ‘May the Lord preserve your son. Just as you served me and served my father Sarhadum, and managed our affairs, so shall Nadan, the son of your sister, serve me and manage my affairs. I will honor and dignify him for your sake, and bestow blessings upon him.’ And I prostrated before the king and said, ‘May my lord the king live forever until eternity. So I hope, O my lord the king, that you will look after him and help him, and that he will hold my position, just as I served you and served your father.’

Then the king gave him an oath and swore to him, saying that he would only hold a position of dignity and honor. So I rose and kissed the king’s hand, and I took Nadan with me, continuing to teach and make him understand until I satiated him with knowledge and wisdom, until he became a reader, as fluent [as flowing] water. And thus I would teach him, I am Haiqar the wise. And likewise, from the knowledge of Haiqar the wise and his good proverbs. He said the following based on the will of God:

O my son Nadan, listen to my words, follow my advice, and let my saying be as the saying of God.

O my son Nadan, if you hear a word, keep it in your heart, do not reveal it to others, lest it becomes a burning coal, scorching your tongue, causing pain in your body, and earning you shame and disgrace before God and people.

O my son, if you hear news, do not disclose it to anyone, and if you see something, do not speak of it.

O my son, a sealed knot should not be untied, and a untied knot should not be sealed.

O my son, make your path and speech easy, be quick to listen, and slow to respond.

O my son, do not desire transient beauty, for beauty fades and passes, but righteous character and a good name endure and last forever.

O my son, do not choose a foolish woman with her speech, for from her speech bitterness and the poison of death emerge. In the trap, you stumble, and in the snare, you are ensnared.

O my son, if you see a woman adorned in clothing, anointing herself with perfumes and scents, yet she is foolish, silly, and impudent, do not desire her in your heart. Even if you were to offer her all your wealth, you would find no peace with her. Instead, you would incur the wrath and displeasure of God.

O my son, do not be quick in response and insolent in speech like the almond tree, for it sprouts and blossoms before all, and in the end, everyone eats its fruits. Instead, be like a good, patient, and gentle tree with a pleasant taste, like the mulberry tree, for in the end, it produces leaves, and in the beginning, everyone enjoys its fruits.

O my son, bow your head, look down, and soften your voice and be polite, calm, gentle and well-mannered, and do not be foolish. And do not raise your voice in arrogance with empty talk, for even if it is with a very loud and harsh voice that builds houses, the donkey builds two houses in one day, and even if the plough is driven with great force, it would not go far under the belly of the camel.

O my son, it is better to carry stones with a wise man than to drink wine with a wicked man.

O my son, pour your wine on the graves of the righteous and the virtuous, and do not drink it with foolish and vile people.

O my son, attach yourself to wise people who fear God so that you may become like them, and do not associate with ignorant people, lest you become like them and learn their ways.

O my son, if you acquire a friend, first try him and test him, and after that acquire him. And do not praise a man until you have tested him; try him and after that acquire him.

O my son, with one who is not wise, do not spoil your speech, and with the ignorant and corrupt, do not allow yourself to associate closely.

O my son, as long as you are wearing shoes, step on thorns and thistles, and pave a path for yourself, your children, and your grandchildren.

O my son, before the breeze stirs and the sea is calm from waves, hurry your ship and boat to the port before the sea becomes rough with swelling waves and storms that could capsize the vessel while you are heedless. Think of your journey, I mean while you are still able think of the Hereafter and remember death for yourself.

O my son, if a rich man eats a snake, they say it is for medicinal purposes and benefits. But if a poor man eats it, they say it is out of extreme hunger. It is by great effort that a truly righteous and pious man exists.

O my son, be content with your own portion and do not covet your companion’s share.

O my son, do not neighbor with fools, and do not eat bread with those who have no shame, nor keep secrets with them.

O my son, if you encounter good fortune for those who hate you, do not grieve or distress over misfortunes that may befall them, and do not rejoice at times of their downfall.

O my son, do not draw near to a quarrelsome woman of shrill voice, nor be pleased by the beauty of a brazen and foolish woman, for a woman’s beauty is but her modesty, not the adornment of her clothing and outward charm, by which she might deceive and mislead you.

O my son, just as a piece of lead in the ears of beasts profits it nothing, so too a woman of fair appearance but low character and little knowledge, brazen and evil - she is of no benefit to you.

O my son, if your enemy greets you with evil, greet him with good and meet him with wisdom.

O my son, the wise man may fall but will rise again, but the righteous man is unshaken.

O my son, when the wise man falls ill, the doctor is able to treat him and heal him, but for the fool there is no remedy for his ailments and wounds.

O my son, if one who is lesser or lower than you in status comes to meet you, receive them while standing. And if they do not accord you proper courtesy, may God accord it to you.

O my son, do not refrain from disciplining your son. Disciplining a boy is like removing garbage from the garden, tightening the purse strings, tethering a beast of burden, and securing a door.

O my son, instill discipline in your child while he is young so that he brings you comfort in old age. Educate and discipline him with physical punishment as long as he is small, so that he obeys your commands and does not, after a brief time, grow up defiant against you and humiliate you among your companions, hanging your head low in public places through his misdeeds and bringing shame upon you with vulgar actions.

O my son, acquire for yourself a square-hoofed bull and a donkey with well-defined hooves, meaning a large-hoofed one. Do not acquire a two-horned bull, nor associate with a man who has a large beard.

O my son, do not acquire a runaway servant, and do not choose a maidservant who is a thief, for anything entrusted to them is destined for ruin.

O my son, the words of deceitful and ignorant people are like birds freely flying in the sky while full. He who lacks wisdom may follow their lead.

O my son, do not neglect your parents’ needs, lest they curse you and God responds to their plea, for it is said ‘whoever curses his father or mother shall surely die’, meaning he incurs grave sin and divine wrath. But whoever honors his father and mother by meeting their needs shall have long life upon the earth and all blessings shall find him.

O my son, do not let the remembrance of God depart from your heart, for you know not where your enemy might encounter you - I mean the devils among mankind, the evil people. And be cautious in your way, for many enemies will be against you.

O my son, just as a beautiful tree is known by its fruits, branches, and leaves, so too is a man known through a righteous wife, children, and siblings. A man without a wife, children, or siblings in this world becomes vulnerable to his enemies, despised by them—much like a tree by the roadside that every passerby tramples, eating its fruits, while wild animals scatter its leaves, leaving it bare.

O my son, do not say that my master is foolish while I am wise. You should always have respect of him, even if there are shortcomings, so that you may be well-regarded.

[O my son], do not assume yourself among the wise unless you are perceived as such by others.

O my son, do not speak foolish or ignorant words in front of your master, lest you become despised and lowly in his sight.

O my son, do not be one of those whose master says to them ‘leave my presence’, but be among those to whom he says ‘come nearer to me.’

O my son, on days of sorrow, hardship and distress for you, do not slander or curse your Lord, lest He hear your words and be wrathful towards you.

O my son, when your servants stand before you, do not love one and hate the other, for you do not know which of them will be chosen for you in the end.

O my son, a servant who leaves the house of his original masters and goes to others will not prosper.

O my son, a goat that wanders and increases its steps eventually becomes the prey of the wolf.

O my son, be righteous and upright in judgment, so that you attain an honorable old age and find rest in your elder days.

O my son, adorn your tongue with the speech of God and speak kindly. Address people with charity and goodness. For a dog’s tail may give it bread, but its mouth will earn it strikes and stones.

O my son, do not allow your companion to step on your foot, lest he step on your chest. I mean, do not allow your adversary, Satan, to lead you into a small sin, lest he leads you into a greater one.

O my son, strike the wise man with words of wisdom, and let it be like a lofty seed planted in his heart. But if you strike the fool with many sticks, he understands and learns nothing good.

O my son, if you send a wise man regarding your affairs, do not over-instruct or over-prepare him, for he will resolve things as your heart desires. And if you send a foolish man, do not address him before people. As for you, proceed with your task and do not send him at all, for he will not resolve your affairs as you wish, even if you instruct him greatly.

O my son, if they send you on an errand, do not make them feel they need to send someone else behind you.

[O my son], do not make an enemy of an important man who meets you with evil in a manner unknown to you.

O my son, first test your son and servant with a simple matter, be it bread or something insignificant. Only then entrust them with your wealth and provisions.

O my son, be the first to leave weddings and feasts. Do not delay until you are anointed with perfumes and fragrances, lest you bear in your head the stings and wounds.

O my son, one whose hand is filled is called a respected and revered sage, while one with an empty hand is labeled as a poor, needy, and lacking person, no one will honor him.

O my son, I have eaten colocynth and swallowed aloe, yet I have not found anything more bitter than poverty and scarcity.

O my son, I have carried iron and lead, yet I have found them lighter than mockery and gossip.

O my son, I have carried salt and large stones and they did not burden me as much as those who laugh and mock while sitting safely in the house of their father-in-law and others.

O my son, teach your son hunger and thirst so that he may manage his household affairs properly.

O my son, do not impart the wisdom and knowledge to fools, for to them, wisdom is like one who cements ceramic to his body to appear fat.

O my son, if you find yourself in need or poverty, do not reveal your situation to your friend lest you become cheapened in his eyes.

O my son, blindness of the eye is lesser than blindness of the heart, for blindness of the eye follows the straight path, while blindness of the heart proceeds in a crooked path.

O my son, a man’s stumbling by his leg is lesser than his stumbling by his tongue. But a youth may die by his stumbling in tongue, though he would not die by his stumbling in leg.

O my son, a near neighbor is better than a distant brother. And a good name is better than good perfume. For perfume fades, perishes, and is wasted, while a good name endures and lasts forever.

O my son, beauty fades and vanishes, knowledge perishes and fades away, the world passes and ceases to be, but a good name neither passes nor fades away.

O my son, a man finding no comfort in this world, his death is lighter than his life.

O my son, the voice of weeping is better than the voice of singing and joy, for the voice of weeping and wailing indicates fear of God, and a person’s sorrow for his sins.

O my son, a loaf of bread in your hand is better than heavy weights in another’s possession. A ewe close by is better than a bull far away. A bird in your hands is better than many birds flying in the sky. A modest livelihood gathered together is better than much wealth that scatters. A living fox is better than a dead lion. I mean a lowly man who does good is better than a noble who is dead in sin.

O my son, a weight of wool is better than a weight of gold and silver. For gold and silver men will bury and cover up and it will not be seen, while wool remains in the markets then is seen and brings beauty to those who wear it.

O my son, bury the word in your heart, and do not reveal your friend’s secret, for if you reveal it you will betray and dishonor him.

O my son, do not let a word go forth from your mouth before consulting your heart, for it is better for you to stumble with your foot than with your tongue.

O my son, if you hear a word from someone, bury it in your heart like the earth, for as you tread upon it, you bury and make it disappear.

O my son, do not involve yourself between those who quarrel, for from joking comes provocation, and from provocation comes disputes, and from disputes war and fighting may occur. And if you are there you may get killed, or you may be called upon to bear witness. Rather, I say to you flee from there and you will find rest.

O my son, do not engage in a confrontation with someone stronger than you, as their cunning words may prevail. Instead, repel evil and overcome it through generosity.

O my son, acquire for yourself a gentle, yielding, patient heart and a calm spirit, forbearance and righteous conduct. Acquire these for yourself, for there is nothing better in this world, and you will live a pleasant and happy life.

O my son, do not abandon your first love, lest your last love not endure with you.

O my son, visit your friend in hardship and speak good of him to the ruler and say [good things] so you can save him from the mouth of the lion.

O my son, do not rejoice at the death of your enemy; instead, be aware that after a little while, you will be neighbors with them in the grave.

O my son, honor and respect anyone who is older than you, stand for them, and greet them first with peace. Even if they do not return your greeting, God will reward you.

O my son, if you find a righteous man who fears God, honor him and listen to his words so that he may pray for you and bless you.

O my son, if you are God’s companion, be pure before Him, be clean and holy to serve Him, and do not disappear from His presence and fear Him.

O my son, if water runs upwards in sewers, if sparrows fly in heaven, if black crows lay white eggs, if bitter things become as sweet as honey, it is not possible for a fool or ignorant person to behave properly and understand.

O my son, if water flows in the drains, birds soar in the sky, black crows turn white, and bitter becomes sweet like honey, it is not possible for a fool or ignorant person to behave properly and understand.

O my son, if you want to be wise, guard your tongue from falsehood, your hands from theft, your eyes from impudent glances, and you will be called wise.

O my son, be gentle and proficient in your youth, and be calm and patient. Be obedient so that in your old age, you may be honored and respected, and loved by everyone.

O my son, do not confront a man in the prime of his power, nor challenge a river in its overflow and waves.

O my son, the eyes of a person are never satisfied with possessions and wealth until they are satisfied with the dust.

O my son, do not involve yourself in matters of marriage, for if it is good, they will praise you; and if it is bad, they will blame and curse you.

O my son, just as a man is splendid in his garment, so too is he in his speech.

O my son, if you steal something and it becomes known to the sultan, give him his due share of it to absolve yourself, otherwise you will only taste bitterness as you endure all manner of hardship.

O my son, befriend a hand that has long been satisfied and is now hungry, not a hand that has been hungry and is now satisfied.

O my son, a dog that abandons its first companions and follows you, strike it with every stone, for it will also not stand with you.

O my son, let a wise man strike you with many sticks, but do not let a foolish and ignorant man smear you with sweet and pleasant ointments.

O my son, whoever is sincere in love attains the glory of this world and the bliss of the Hereafter.

O my son, there are four things that a kingdom cannot endure: the incompetence of the military, the corruption of the minister, misguided planning, and the oppression of the subjects. O my son, there are another four: the wise, the foolish, the ignorant, and the wealthy.

These proverbs and advice have come to an end with the help of God.

I, Haiqar, thought that everything I taught my nephew Nadan, he would keep it in his heart and benefit greatly from it. And he wanted to be in my place before Sennacherib, the king, and serve him. But I did not know that he did not retain anything of what I taught him, nor did he benefit from it, nor did he hear my words, nor keep my commands. Rather, he began to mock me and say that Haiqar has grown old and feeble-minded, and his mind has weakened and gone astray, and he knows nothing. And Nadan began to squander my wealth and provision, and beat the slaves and maidservants, and sell the horses and mules. And he disposed of the furniture and inheritance and everything that I possessed. So when I, Haiqar, saw that he had no mercy on my provision or on the people of my household, I said to him, ‘Do not approach what I have acquired, and do not harm the people of my household or slaves as long as I am alive. And let no one have power over my wealth and provision.’

I, Haiqar, had taken Nabuzardan to my home in order to teach him and make him the heir to his brother. However, when Nadan saw him in my home, he became envious, angry and hostile towards him. He became very angry indeed and began saying that Haiqar had gone astray, neglected his duties and lost his wisdom and knowledge, to the point that he entrusted his wealth and sustenance to my young brother Nabuzardan who was but a child without reason or understanding. He expelled me from his house. When I, Haiqar, heard these things from him, I said it is a pity that my wisdom had become so degraded and despised by my son Nadan. Nadan then went in his anger to the door of the house of my master the king. He sat there writing and making complaints against me, Haiqar his vizier, fabricating lies and accusations of injustice against me.

Nadan wrote two letters to the kings who were enemies of Sennacherib and held a grudge against him. One letter was addressed to King Khish, the son of Samhaleem, the king of the Persians and non-Arabs. In it, he wrote the following, ‘From Sennacherib, the king, and Haiqar, his scribe and minister, complete peace, greetings, honor, and the kissing of hands and feet. Peace be between you and me, O great king. Upon receiving this letter, you should come quickly and without delay. Come to me at Atur, and I will surrender the kingdom to you without battle or hardship.’ And he wrote another letter in the name of Haiqar to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. In it, he wrote, ‘Peace be between you and me, O king. Upon receiving this letter, graciously come to me within twenty-five days of the month of Ab. I will bring you into Atur and Nineveh and surrender the kingdom to you without conditions, without war, and without hardship.’

And he imitated Haiqar's handwriting in the letters, and sealed the letters with Haiqar's seal and signature, placing them in the king’s house so that the king’s servants would find them and bring them to the king. He wrote another letter in the name of King Sennacherib to me, Haiqar, and in it, he said, ‘From Sennacherib, the honored king, to Haiqar, my minister and scribe, and keeper of my secrets. Upon receiving this letter, gather all the troops in your possession and bring them to the Mount Ṣahu. Advance ahead of me to the location of Nissrin, within twenty-five days of the month of Ab. When you see that I am approaching your, position the troops before me as if a man were ready to fight me and engage in battle, for I have the messengers of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Let them witness, observe, and recognize the strength of your forces, and let them fear you, for they are our enemies and adversaries.’

And he dispatched the letter with some of the king’s servants. Nadan then took one of the letters he had written and placed it in the house of my master the king, making it appear as though it had just been found at that moment. Then Nadan read the letter aloud to King Sennacherib. When the king heard the contents of the letter, he was greatly perplexed and distressed. He said, ‘Oh God, what have I done wrong to Haiqar that he would write such a thing to the king of Egypt, Pharaoh, my enemy and adversary, to repay me this reward?’ Nadan said to King Sennacherib, ‘Do not grieve or be distressed, but rise with us and let us go to the location of Nissrin mentioned in the letter and find out if the news in the letter is true or not.’

So they set out and went - King Sennacherib an Nadan my son, - to the location of Nissrin. There the king found me, Haiqar, with my armies assembled around me. When I saw them approaching and arriving near us, I acted according to what was written in the letter. Now the king was alarmed by me, believing I had rebelled against him and was in league with his enemies who held him in contempt, though I was unaware of the scheming and plots that Nadan had carried out against me. Nadan said to the king, ‘See, you have now verified the truth of the news. Do not grieve or be distressed, but return to your home and kingdom, and have no fear. I will bring Haiqar to you bound and shackled in chains, since he rebelled against you and transgressed against you.’ King Sennacherib returned to his house, sad and sorrowful.

My son Nadan came to me and said, ‘By God, King Sennacherib is greatly pleased with you and extols your virtues, describing how you did as he commanded in his letter. Now he has sent me after you so that you and I may attend upon him alone.’ So I dismissed the troops and went with Nadan to my master King Sennacherib. I greeted him. When the king saw me, he said, ‘You have come, Haiqar, my trusted scribe who administrates my city, my land and all my kingdom, one who was dear and honored by me, and whom I released so that you may rest. But now you have rebelled against me - your love for me has turned to hatred, and your eyes have dared to challenge me. You have allied yourself with my enemies.’ And he brought out the letters that Nadan had written in my name, imitating my handwriting and sealing them with my seal and signature. When I read them, I was ashamed and my limbs weakened. I stood trembling in fear, my tongue tied, wanting to utter a word of wisdom and knowledge but unable.

Nadan shouted at me and said, ‘Step aside from in front of the king, you deceitful old man! Give me your hands for binding and your legs for shackles.’ He restrained me with chains and fetters. Then King Sennacherib turned his face away from me in anger and said to the executioner, whose name was Yabusamikmisknti, ‘ Take Haiqar and kill him. Behead him and keep his head away from his body by a distance of a hundred yards.’ At that moment, I, Haiqar, prostrated before the king and said to him, ‘May you live forever, O king. If you choose to kill me, let it be your decision. I know that I have committed no wrong or sin. I implore my lord, the king, to order that they kill me at the door of my house, and that my body be given to my servants and family to bury, as a sacrifice in your name.’

The king said to the executioner, ‘Proceed, kill Haiqar at the door of his house, and give his body for them to bury.’ After leaving the king, I sent a message to my wife, Afshegini, instructing her to come and meet me with a thousand virgin maidens. She was to dress them in fine silk and purple robes so that they could weep and wail for me, expressing their grief loudly before my death. I said to her, ‘Return home and prepare a table with bread for the executioner and the Assyrians. Go out to meet them with joy and gladness, and bring them into our house. Lay before them fine foods and drinks, mix wine, and personally serve them well.’

My wife, Afshegini, who was a wise and knowledgeable woman, attended to my instructions. She prepared a table before them, mixed wine, and they ate and drank. She served them while they became intoxicated, and they slept where they lay. Then, I, Haiqar, said to the executioner, ‘Lift your gaze to the heavens, to God, and remember the bread and salt we have all shared. Know that I am innocent, having no fault or wrongdoing. My son Nadan deceived and betrayed me. Do not involve yourself in my sin, and do not kill me while I am unjustly accused. Recall too, and bear in mind, the day when the king Sarhadum, the father of Sennacherib, in his wrath, commanded me to kill you. Yet I recognized your innocence and hid you instead of killing you, keeping you alive until the King’s anger subsided and he was pleased with you once more. I then brought you before him, where he showed you favor and endowed you with generous gifts.

Now, you also hide me, and grant me goodness and favor, just as I did for you. Conceal me in a place. And behold, here lies one of my guilty servants, Madyafur by name, condemned to die for his many sins. Bring him out and dress him in my robes. Command the men with you, still drunken, to go and kill him without knowing whose life they take. Remove his head far from his body, one hundred cubits distant, and give over his body to be buried. Thus the news will spread throughout Atur and Nineveh and all regions that Haiqar has been killed.’ The executioner and my wife did as I instructed. They constructed a hidden underground chamber beneath my home, digging a space fourteen cubits long, seven cubits wide, and five cubits tall. There they placed me within, under the door of my house, concealing me within it. They left with me an abundant store of bread and provisions, burying me within that grave. Then they departed to inform my lord, King Sennacherib, that Haiqar had been killed, in accordance to your decree.

When the news spread that Haiqar had been killed, the people of the city heard it, and they scratched and tore their faces. Women wailed and mourned greatly. They said ‘What a loss is Haiqar, the skillful scribe knowledgeable in secrets, expert in explaining words, problems and mysteries. Woe to us without your like. From where shall we find another as wise, knowledgeable and prudent as you to take your place?’ King Sennacherib summoned my son Nadan and said to him, ‘You, go and hold mourning rites and weep for Haiqar, your father and teacher who raised you. Grieve and lament for him.’

When my foolish, hard-hearted son Nadan arrived, he neither wept nor mentioned me. Instead, he gathered debauched and corrupt troublemakers, who began eating, drinking, dancing, singing and getting drunk. Nadan then seized my servants and maidservants, stripping and whipping them, beating and tormenting them, making them taste all manners of mistreatment. Not even my wife, who raised him, was spared his shamelessness - the vile one even intended to commit sin with her and violate her. I, the innocent Haiqar, lay buried in that dark grave, hearing the whipping of my servants and their cries of pain under the punishments inflicted by Nadan. I heard all and suffered, weeping and grieving for them and for myself, for all that had befallen me. After this I turned and prayed to the Merciful Lord, hoping He in His mercy would deliver me.’

After a few days, the executioner returned to me in my grave. He consoled me and brought me food and water. As he was leaving, I said to him, ‘Offer a prayer for me, appeal to God and say, ‘O merciful and exalted God, O generous Lord, O righteous and just one, O bountiful in mercy to your creation, remember your servant Haiqar who has put his trust in you, seeks your help and turns to you in need. Visit him with your mercy, save him and deliver him, for he has placed his hope in you alone, being innocent in suffering. Now he cries out to you in the severity of his distress and abundance of his pains.’ When Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, heard that the wise and skilled Haiqar, expert in solving problems, had been killed, he was very pleased and joyful.

He wrote a letter and dispatched it, saying, ‘From Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to Sennacherib, king of Assyria and Nineveh - greetings and highest honors to you. O king, know that I desire to build a palace between the heavens and earth, and I request through the king’s favor that you send me a master builder to construct it as I wish and answer all my questions. And if you know of one who can build me this palace and do as I say, we will send you with him Egypt's tribute for three years. Otherwise, send Assyria and Nineveh's tribute for three years with this messenger I am sending to you.’ When the letter arrived and was read before King Sennacherib, he summoned and gathered all the learned men, and all the wise ones, philosophers, sorcerers, knowers and astrologers who were in his kingdom. And he read that letter before them and said to them, ‘Which of you is capable of going to Egypt and answering Pharaoh the king regarding this matter he has sent to us?’

They all answered him and said, ‘O our lord the king, know that these types of questions and mysteries are not dealt with during your reign and days as is done by Haiqar, for he alone understands them, solves them and explains them. We ourselves did not comprehend like him nor could we reach his level of knowledge and understanding. Now there is no one for you except Nadan, son of his sister, to whom he taught all his knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Summon him and question him, for he alone can solve this question for you, as we ourselves do not know how to explain it.’ At that, the king immediately summoned him. When Nadan came before the king and read the letter, he responded, ‘O king, let the people chatter and babble in futility. Who is capable of building a structure between the sky and earth? Not even the gods are able to do such a thing. So raving is this letter.’

When King Sennacherib heard Nadan's words, he grieved with a tremendous sorrow and wept a heavy weeping. He descended from his throne and sat upon ashes and dust, weeping. He said, ‘Alas for you, Haiqar the wise, skilled one, knower of secrets and mysteries. Woe is me for you, O teacher of my land and administrator of my kingdom. Where shall I find one like you? Where shall I search for your like? Woe is me, how was it that I killed you and did away with you by the words of an ignorant boy with no knowledge, religion or wisdom? I will regret and weep for you until I die. If only someone had informed me or given me good tidings that Haiqar still lived, I would have given him half my kingdom.’

When I, the executioner, heard this and saw the king’s sorrow and weeping over Haiqar, I stepped forward, prostrated before the king and said, ‘O my lord, command your servants that they crucify me, your sinful, guilty servant, for having disobeyed your command. [Any servant who disobeys his master’s order deserves crucifixion.] You carried out the execution of Haiqar without investigating his guilt. And I knew that you would regret over killing him. And I knew he was innocent with no guilt. And God answers the oppressed. And behold, Haiqar is alive, hidden underground in a grave like pit. I have erred in disobeying your command. So either crucify me or forgive my sin and pardon my guilt.’ When the king heard my words, he became joyful and delighted. He said, ‘O servant, if your words are true, I intend to enrich you. If you bring Haiqar alive, I will give you half of my kingdom, a hundred qintars of gold, and fifty qintars of purple silk robes.’

The executioner said to the king, ‘Swear to me by the living God that you will not hold this sin against me or treat me unjustly because of this mistake.’ The king swore to him and gave him his word that he would not harm him or wrong him in any way. Immediately, the swordsman mounted [his horse] as swift as the wind and arrived at the place. He opened the pit and pulled me out. I, Haiqar, lifted out, relying on God and placing my hope in Him, I was not ashamed or afraid. The executioner then took me and brought me before the king. When I was brought before the king, I fell to the ground and prostrated before him. My hair had grown long, reaching down to my shoulders, and my beard had reached my chest. My nails had remained like the talons of an eagle, and my body had weakened in the dirt and soil. The color of my face had changed and faded, remaining like ashes. The semblance of my humanity had barely remained.

When the king gazed at me for a long time and saw how my beauty and body had been ruined, he took pity on me and wept bitterly. He was unable to speak to me at first and wept a heavy weeping. He said, ‘It was not I who wronged you, but rather it was Nadan, your nephew, whom you raised like your own son - he is the one who wronged you.’ I said to the king, ‘May you live forever, my lord. Now that God has allowed me to see your face again, nothing else matters or harms me.’ The king responded, ‘Blessed be the Merciful Lord who regarded your plight and knew you were wronged, so He saved you and delivered you from death.’ The king then said to me, ‘Go now, oppressed Haiqar, and bathe in the bathhouse. Shave your head and trim your nails and eat and drink your fill and enjoy yourself for forty days so that you may regain your strength and vigor, and your condition and the color of your face may be restored. After that time, return to me.’

I departed immediately and went to my home, carrying out the king’s commands. I spent twenty days without delay, for the king was in need of urgent counsel. He brought out the message that had been sent by the Egyptians, saying to me, ‘Take and see, Haiqar, what the Egyptians have sent to us - they have dominated and saddened us, and all the people of our land were gathered and fled to Egypt due to the excessive demands for wealth and taxes they impose upon us.’ When Haiqar read the message, he understood its contents. He replied to King Sennacherib, ‘Do not grieve or be troubled, my lord. I will go to Egypt and personally give Pharaoh his response, explaining this matter and any other questions he may have. I will obtain taxes, wealth and tribute from Egypt and its lands for you. I will also return all who fled to their homes and humiliate all your enemies and those who hate you, with God’s help and by your sovereignty and happiness.’

When King Sennacherib heard these words from me, he was overjoyed with extreme happiness. He bestowed upon me many gifts. All the kings, princes and nobles also gave me abundant tribute. As for the executioner, he was greatly promoted in rank and status, and was also given many gifts. I, the lowly Haiqar, wrote a letter and sent it to my wife Afshegini. I said to her, ‘When this letter reaches you, order the hunters to catch two young eagles. Tell the cotton workers to spin two thick cotton ropes, each two thousand cubits in length.

Tell the carpenters to build large boxes. Give Nabuhal and Tabshalim, who are in our care, to seven wet nurses to suckle and raise them. Slaughter a lamb every day and feed the eagles so they may grow big and strong. Every day have the boys ride the eagles as they are still small and light. Tie the ropes to the eagles’ legs and let them fly in the sky with the boys riding them little by little to learn. When they climb on the birds to fly high in the air above the eagles’ backs, teach them to cry out and say while flying ‘Bring us clay, lime, mud, milk and stones, for the builders are idle and wish to build a palace high in the sky.’ Guide the birds and boys back down until I come.’

My wife Afshegini was a wise and skilled woman, with none in our land like her in understanding or competence. Whatever I instructed her to do, she carried it out and made it happen. After a few days, I, Haiqar, said to King Sennacherib, ‘Grant me leave, my lord, so that I may depart for Egypt, for the time has come for me to go.’ When he granted me leave, I took a large army and travelled one day’s journey. I ordered the army to stop in a spacious, magnificent clearing. I released the two eagles from their boxes, tied the ropes to their legs, had the boys ride them, and they flew in the air. They ascended very high until they could no longer be seen by people.

As they ascended, the boys riding the eagles cried out and said, ‘Bring us clay, lime, mud, milk and stones, for the masons, builders and workers are standing idle and wish to build a palace high in the lofty sky.’ I guided them back down to me and observed them appearing exactly as I desired. I praised my wise wife Afshegini, who had perfectly carried out all that I commanded her to do, fulfilling every instruction I gave. When the Assyrians and inhabitants of Nineveh, who had fled to the city of Egypt, heard all that had been done to return them to their lands, they returned from where they were.

mention of Haiqar's entry into Egypt to meet with Pharaoh the king.

When I, Haiqar, arrived in Egypt with my armies, I proceeded to Pharaoh the king’s gate. His nobles informed him and said, ‘Sennacherib the king has sent you a man, as you requested, what will be your decree?’

Pharaoh the king then ordered, and they gave us a place where we may lodge, I and all my armies who are with me. After that, Pharaoh ordered and had me brought before him. When I stood in his presence, I prostrated and greeted him. He returned my greeting and said, ‘What is your name, man? ‘ I said to him, ‘Your servant Abisham, a mere ant from the ants of King Sennacherib.’ When Pharaoh heard this, he was filled with regret and said, ‘Am I so lowly in the eyes of your master that he has sent even an ant to answer me?’ He then said to me, ‘Go today, Abisham, to your dwelling and lodgings, and come to me tomorrow.’ So I departed. Pharaoh ordered all his nobles and dignitaries, saying to them, ‘Tomorrow, all of you wear robes of fine red linen and come to me.’ When morning came, the king dressed in purple and sat on his throne, with all his dignitaries standing before and around him. He then ordered, ‘Bring him (Abisham) to me.’

Pharaoh said to me, ‘Abisham, to whom do I and my nobles resemble?’ I said, ‘My lord, you resemble the idol Bel and your nobles resemble his servants.’ He said, ‘Go today, Abisham, and come to me tomorrow.’ The king then ordered his nobles, ‘Tomorrow, all of you wear white robes of fine white linen and come to me.’ The king also dressed in a white silk robe and sat on his throne, with his nobles standing before him. He ordered, ‘Bring him (Abisham) to me.’ I, Haiqar, entered before him. Pharaoh said to me, ‘Abisham, to whom do I and my nobles resemble?’ I said to him, ‘You resemble the sun and your nobles resemble its rays.’

Pharaoh said to me, ‘Go today to your place and come to me tomorrow.’ The king ordered his nobles that tomorrow they should wear black robes made of silk. The king dressed in scarlet robes and sat on his throne. He ordered me to be brought before him. Pharaoh said, ‘Abisham, to whom do I and my nobles resemble?’ I said, ‘You resemble the moon and your nobles resemble the stars and planets.’ He said, ‘Go, Abisham, to your place and come tomorrow.’ The king ordered his nobles, ‘Tomorrow all of you wear multicolored clothes of every color and kind, and the veils of throne should be red.’ The king dressed in linen robes and sat on his throne. He ordered me to be brought before him.

He said, ‘Abisham, to whom do I and my nobles resemble?’ I said, ‘You resemble the month of Nisan and your nobles resemble its blossoms and flowers.’ When I said this to him, he was overjoyed with extreme joy. The king said to me, ‘The first time you likened me to the idol Bel and my nobles to his servants. The second time you likened me to the sun and my nobles to its rays. The third time you likened me to the moon and my soldiers to the stars and planets. The fourth time you likened me to Nisan and my nobles to its blossoms and flowers. Rather, tell me to whom does your master Sennacherib resemble, and his nobles to whom do they resemble?’ I shouted loudly and said, ‘Far be it from me to mention my master the king while you sit upon your throne, unless you rise from your feet and I may tell you to whom my lord resembles.’

The king rose from his throne. I said to him, ‘My lord Sennacherib resembles the God of heaven, and his nobles resemble the flashes of lightning, which, when he wishes, the winds blow and rain descends and clay is shaped and blessings ascend to his kingdom. He also commands and the thunders roar and the lightnings flash, and he stops the sun from rising and its rays from shining. And he stops Bel the idol and his nobles so they do not walk in the streets, and stops the moon and planets so they do not travel. And if he chooses, he commands the north wind, and the winds and storms blow and beat, and the rain and cold come, and it beats Nisan and scatters its blossoms and flowers.’

When Pharaoh heard this from me, he was greatly puzzled and distressed, and said to me, ‘Speak the truth and tell me clearly, O man, what is your name?’ I said to him then, ‘I am Haiqar, the scribe and confidant of King Sennacherib.’ Pharaoh said, ‘We have heard that Haiqar was killed, and you are now alive.’ I said to him, ‘Praise and thanks be to the Merciful God who hears the prayers of the broken-hearted and rescues the oppressed, and humiliates and crushes the oppressors. Trickery and deceit and injustice were done against me by evil men, and they lied about me before my lord the king and he ordered my killing. But my Lord saved me from death. Blessed is he who relies on Him, seeks His help and aid, for He will save him and deliver him.’ King Pharaoh responded and said to me, ‘Go today, Haiqar, to your home and come to me tomorrow.’

And he said, ‘Let me hear a word I have never heard from any of my nobles, nor has it ever been heard in our land.’ So I returned home thinking about what word they had never heard. Then I, Haiqar, sat and wrote a letter as such, ‘From Pharaoh, King of Egypt, to Sennacherib, King of Assyria and Nineveh - greetings and honor. Know, O my brother, that brotherhood requires brotherhood and kings require kings. Now I am in need, my stores are empty, my treasuries depleted. I want from your love and hope for your sincerity that you send me and lend me nine hundred qantars of gold. After some time I will send back to you the equivalent. And I will repay your money and gold.’ I kept the letter with me and tomorrow I will present it before King Pharaoh.

Pharaoh said to me, ‘Tell me, Haiqar, a word that neither I nor my nobles nor anyone in this city has heard.’ I immediately took out that letter and gave it to him. He took it and read it. When the people of Egypt heard it, they were astonished and amazed. They said, ‘Truly and indeed, this is a word we have never heard nor been heard in our city ever.’ I said to them, ‘In truth, Assyria and Nineveh have a legitimate and obligatory debt upon Egypt that must be paid.’ When they heard this from me, they were amazed and their minds were perplexed. And this debt remained obligated and accepted upon them. After that, King Pharaoh responded to me, Haiqar, saying ‘I want you to build me a palace to be magnificent for me to dwell in, to be built between the heaven and the earth, and its height from the ground should be two thousand cubits.’

I said to him, ‘I hear and obey you, my king. I will build you a palace between heaven and earth. Rather, my king, you command the builders and craftsmen to be from me, and the lime, stones and other tools will be from you.’ Immediately I took out the eagles from their boxes and tied ropes to their legs. I mounted boys onto the eagles and tied them securely onto their backs. I released the eagles flying with boys riding on their backs. They flew up high until reaching the utmost height. The boys began crying out, saying ‘Send us lime, stones, clay and bricks, for the craftsmen stand idle. Hurry them to build a palace for King Pharaoh between heaven and earth.’ They also said ‘O servants, mix wine for us to drink.’

When Pharaoh and his nobles saw this, they were astonished and said, ‘What is this knowledge?’ Their minds were perplexed and they were bewildered, disturbed and ashamed. I, Haiqar, took a stick and started beating Pharaoh's nobles until they sent the boys stones, lime, and everything the craftsmen and builders requested, so they would not remain idle. I shouted at my servants to beat Pharaoh's nobles with sticks and clubs until they handed the craftsmen and builders stones, lime and others. They severely beat them until they were defeated, overwhelmed and fled from there, leaving us alone, and went to their homes. Pharaoh was angered and said to me, ‘O Haiqar, you have become utterly mad. Who is able to reach those high up to bring them what they requested? Or who can ascend to such a great height and deliver to them?’

I replied and said to him, ‘It is you who are the truly mad and frightened ones. Now if my lord King Sennacherib was here, he would build two palaces in one day.’ Pharaoh responded and said to me, ‘We have surpassed building this palace, and have no more need of it. It has become clear to us that you are capable of building many palaces. But go today to your home, and come to me tomorrow.’ I immediately went to my place, and in the morning I came and entered to him. He said to me, ‘O Haiqar, how is this matter?’ I said, ‘What is it, my lord?’ He said, ‘The horse of your master Sennacherib is neighing over there in Assyria and Nineveh. Our horses here are hearing the sound of its neighing and casting their young.’

Immediately I left him and went. I ordered my servants to hold a big cat from amongst the cats, and ordered them to severely beat it very hard. The cat meowed, cried, and howled intensely until all the Egyptians heard its sound. They informed King Pharaoh of this. He summoned me and said, ‘O Haiqar, why are you lashing this cat?’ I said to him, ‘O my lord, this cat has committed a grave sin and has harmed us greatly, this corrupt one. We had a wonderful, great rooster. It had a beautiful crow, and my lord the king had given it to me. It used to inform me of the time of night and day with its proper crowing and cries. But this night, the cat went to Assyria, cut off the rooster’s head, and killed him, and then returned.’ Pharaoh replied and said to me, ‘O Haiqar, I see that with every passage of time and old age, your wisdom decreases and your knowledge diminishes. Now between Egypt and Assyria is more than thirty-six leagues, so how could this cat possibly travel all this distance in one night, take the head of the rooster and return here?’

I said to him, ‘If the distance between Egypt and Assyria is all this far, then how could the horse of my master neigh there and your horses here cast their young?’ When Pharaoh heard this from me, he was bewildered and ashamed, and knew at that time that I had explained his matter to him. He also said, ‘Explain to me this riddle, which is that a builder built a foundation and established it with eight thousand seven hundred and sixty-three bricks. He joined it with three hundred sixty-five stones, and planted in it twelve cedar trees. He placed thirty in each tree, and made on each branch two clusters, one white and the other black.’ I said to him, ‘O king, the cattle herders of Assyria know this riddle. The explanation of the riddle is that the Builder is God, may He be glorified and exalted, who built this foundation, meaning He created the cycle of the year with His wisdom and completed it with eight thousand seven hundred and sixty-three hours.

And He arranged for it in its cycle three hundred sixty-five days. And He established for it twelve months, then the whole year. And in each cedar tree thirty branches, meaning thirty days which completes the counting of the month. And the two clusters, the white one is the day and the black one is the night.’ The king said, ‘O Haiqar, I want you to spin two ropes for me from the sand and dust of the sea, and their thickness to be about a finger.’ I said to him, ‘O king, order them to bring me a rope from the shop so I can make it like that.’ He said to me, ‘Leave the excessive talk, and either make these ropes for me or I will not grant you Egypt's tribute.’ I thought to myself, Haiqar, and went behind the king’s house and made two holes in the wall. When the sun entered and cast its rays in the holes, I filled my palms with sea sand and brought it near the holes, throwing the sand into them. The ray spun in the holes and the sand spun with it, and the dust also separated like ropes.

I said to the king, ‘O my lord, order your servants to take these ropes. Whatever ropes or other things you want spun, I will spin for you.’ The king and his nobles were amazed. Then they said to me, ‘We have here a broken millstone which is an extraordinary stone. We want you to sew it for us.’ He ordered his servants and they brought the stone and placed it before me. I looked and near them was another similar broken stone. I picked it up and placed it before Pharaoh the king. I said to him, ‘O my lord the king, know that I have come to you as a foreign man without the tools for sewing. Order from your charity the shoemakers you have, and they will cut from this stone for me so that I can sew this stone for you.’ The king and all his nobles, elders and dignitaries [laughed]. They said to me, ‘Praise be to God, whose name is exalted, who bestowed and gave you, O Haiqar, all this wisdom, knowledge, cleverness and granted you this great wisdom and intellect.’

At that point, when the king and his nobles saw that they had been defeated and overpowered by me, since I had explained all their riddles to them and solved all their other problems, and invalidated their claims and proofs as they were unable to find any argument against me, Pharaoh immediately called me and gave me what he owed from tribute and all income from Egypt and its borders for three years. He also gave me nine hundred talents of gold that I had written to request borrowing from my lord the king in my letter. He gave me many gifts for myself and for my lord Sennacherib. Robes of honor were bestowed upon me and all those who were with me from the army. After that, he permitted me to depart and return to my homeland. As for me, I kissed his hands and took my leave, traveling on my way. When I reached near my lord Sennacherib, even before I arrived at the city he came out to meet me, rejoicing greatly. He seated me by his side above his throne and said to me, ‘Ask of me whatever you desire, O Haiqar, and I will give it to you to make you wealthy.’

I said to him, ‘O my lord the king, may you live forever. But if you wish to bestow favor upon me, let it be by your decree. Rather, I ask from your generosity that you accept my request and grant me what you wish to bestow, that it may be for Yabusamik, the executioner. For after the Lord’s favor upon me, it was through Yabusamik that I found life. And if God had not made him subservient, I would have died.’ Then the king bestowed upon him great favors and gave him magnificent gifts. The king began asking me about everything that had happened before Pharaoh and his nobles. I began recounting to him one by one, and he listened to me in amazement. Then I brought out the money, tribute, gold, presents and robes of honor that I had gained from Egypt. He rejoiced exceedingly and said to me, ‘Tell me what you want so that I may favor you and give to you.’ I said to him, ‘I only care for your well-being. As for livelihood and such, I have no demand. However, I hope from your generosity that you permit me to take revenge on my nephew.’ And do not hold me accountable for his blood. ’ He ordered him to be handed over to me. I took him and brought him to my house. I bound him with an iron chain and shackled his hands and feet with iron fetters. I placed an iron collar around his neck and began flogging severely and beating him harshly.

[...]will inherit my possessions, furniture, knowledge, expertise, and wisdom. For you did not accept my knowledge, nor did you listen to my words, nor did you listen to God and pray to Him, nor did He hear your voice.

O my son, you have become like a lion that encountered a donkey at dawn. The lion said to the donkey, ‘Come in peace, O my brother and beloved.’ But the donkey said, ‘This peace was for the man who did not tie me up at night and did not untie the bonds of my binding; Perhaps I would not have seen your face.’

O my son, you have become to me like a trap that was set up on garbage. A sparrow came and found the trap set up. The sparrow said to the trap, ‘What are you doing here, O my brother?’ The trap said, ‘I am praying to God.’ The sparrow also asked it, ‘And what is this stick that you are holding?’ The trap said, ‘This is my support stick that I lean on during prayers.’ The sparrow said, ‘And what is that in your mouth?’ The trap said, ‘This is bread and provisions, and I carry it for any hungry or poor person who comes to me.’ The sparrow said, ‘Now I will come forward and eat because I am hungry.’ The trap said to it, ‘Come forward, O my brother, and do not fear.’

The sparrow drew near to eat, and now the trap has snapped and caught the sparrow by the neck. The sparrow replied to the trap, ‘If this is your bread for the hungry, may God not accept your fast, prayers, charity or good deeds. And if this is your fast and prayers, may God not complete goodness with you.’

O my son, you have become like a louse found in wheat - it is good for nothing and harms the wheat.

O my son, you have become to me like a man who sowed ten measures of wheat in a field , but when he harvested and threshed it, he only got ten measures back. So the man said to the field, ‘If you were not to produce more than I sowed and harvested, you would not have come to be nor grown.’

O my son, you have become to me like a trapped partridge, that could not save its own soul from the hunter, but with its sweet, beautiful voice it gathers many other partridges around it until they too are hunted like it.

O my son, you have become to me like a dog that felt cold so it entered a potter’s house to warm itself and take shelter. But once it warmed up and took shelter, it began barking at them (the potters). So they drove it out, but it would not leave. So they beat it and killed it lest it bite them.

O my son, you have become to me like a pig that went along with the nobles and freeman to the bath to swim. But when it swam and came out of the bath, it saw a filthy geyser and dung, so it went down and rolled in it.

O my son, you have become to me like the monkey to whom they attached golden earrings in its ears, but its back was full of dirt and soot and was not cleaned.

O my son, you have become like a ram of the flock that leads its companion sheep to the butchers, while it could not save its own soul from slaughter.

O my son, (you are) like the dog that did not eat from its own hunt, (it) becomes food for wolves.

O my son, a hand that did not succeed and became clever and skillful, breaks and is severed from its armpit.

O my son, an eye that did not see light, crows peck at it and pluck it out.

O my son, I showed you the king’s face and brought you to a high position of honor. I taught you, raised you and did all good with you. Yet what is your repayment and recompense towards me?

O my son, you have become like the tree that said to those who intended to cut it down, ‘Ah, if only what is in your hands were not from me, then you would not have the power to overcome me.’

O my son, you have become like the cat, to which they said ‘abandon thievery’ and the king will make for you golden collars and chains of silver and gems, and feed you and give you drink and satiate you. But she said, ‘I adhere to the craft that my father’s house has taught me; I will never abandon it.’

O my son, you have become like a snake that was riding on a boxthorn in the river. A wolf saw them and said, ‘Evil upon evil, and that which is more evil than them will deal with the both of them.’ The snake said to the wolf, ‘The lambs and the goats and the sheep which you have eaten all your life, will you return them to their brothers and parents or not?’ The wolf said ‘No.’ The snake then said to him, ‘So you have become worse than us.’

O my son, I fed you all tasty foods. Yet you could not even satisfy me with one piece of bread. I was hiding in the dust and in a dark hole. But you worked to kill me.

O my son, I raised your stature like a beautiful cedar, and you have bent me and bowed me down in my life, casting me into the pit with your excessive evils and misdeeds.

O my son, I thought I had built for myself a great and fortified tower, a refuge to shield me from my enemies. But you buried me in the ground during my lifetime. It is only by the mercy of God that I have been saved.

O my son, I wanted for you all good, and you rewarded me with all evil. I want to gouge out your eyes, cut out your tongue, take your head with the sword, and repay you for all your evils and fulfill all your harms.

Then Nadan replied and said to him, ‘Far be it from you to commit any evil or harm between your eyes. Rather, treat me as you have with your goodness, favors and mercy. Forgive the sin I have committed before you, for God forgives the sins of sinners and accepts repentants. Accept me so that I may serve your horses, tend your pigs and sweep your garbage, while I claim to be a wicked man and you claim to be righteous.’

Then I said to him, ‘O my son, you are like a palm tree that was planted on the banks of a river, and all its fruits it would throw into that river. So its owner came to cut it down since he was deriving nothing from it.

The palm tree said to him ‘Transplant me to another place and I will bear fruit for you.’ He said to it, ‘From your branches and fronds you have not borne any fruit. How can you provide me with anything otherwise?’

O my son, the eagle’s old age is superior to the feeble youth of a hatchling or the foul-smelling youth of a crow.

O my son, they said to the wolf ‘stay away from the sheep, lest their dust settle on you.’ But it said to them, ‘I will not stay away, because their dust is beneficial for my eyes.’

O my son, they took the wolf to school to learn, so the teacher told him to say ‘A- B- C’. The wolf replied, ‘Lamb and goat, just like what’s in my heart.’

O my son, of all that I taught you, you retained nothing. Did you not think that God is a just ruler and fair judge, and that those who do good will be rewarded with good, and those who do evil will be recompensed with evil, and the Fire of Hell and torment of the Blazing Flame? Now I have nothing left to say to you except that the Lord alone will recompense you according to your deeds.

O my son, they placed the donkey’s head on the table, and it fell and rolled on the ground. They said, ‘Leave it, for it is being true to its nature - it will not accept honor or dignity.’

O my son, you have proven the saying to be true, ‘That which you bear and give birth to, claim it as your son, and that which you raise, claim it as your servant.’

Now, O my son, the truth is sometimes better than words. It has been said, ‘Take your nephew, throw him on the ground, and in the wall hit him.’

And you, O my son, by God who knows all secrets and will recompense each person according to their deeds, and He is witness between me and you, I have nothing left to say to you - the Lord will recompense you according to what you deserve.

When the ignorant Nadan heard these words, immediately he swelled up like an inflated bladder, and all his limbs swelled from his flanks, and because of his evil conduct he was torn and split open, and he perished and died and his end was destruction, and he departed for Hell and a miserable fate.

It is written in the Book of Proverbs that whoever does good will meet good, and whoever does evil will meet evil. Whoever digs a pit for his friend will fall into it, and whoever sets a snare for his brother, it is he who will be caught in it.

The story and news of Haiqar, the wise Persian and skilled philosopher, have been completed.